Can someone explain what this mode does?

Can anyone explain what the S mode does? I understand the eco, normal, and sport settings, but I’m not sure about what S mode is for.

In S mode, you can use the plus and minus buttons or paddle shifters if your car has them to set the highest gear the Camry can reach. For example, S4 means it won’t go beyond 4th gear. However, the Camry might still shift higher to avoid engine damage. It’s not a manual mode; the car still shifts automatically and won’t follow unusual gear changes like going to 1st gear at high speeds.

@Jet
Finally, someone who gets how this works… others don’t seem to know about the sequential shifter.

Poe said:
@Jet
Finally, someone who gets how this works… others don’t seem to know about the sequential shifter.

Why would someone use it? I’m curious because our security team at work uses this mode.

Simulates manual gear shifting.

It increases speed. Only TRD models had the high-speed shifter.

Baer said:
It increases speed. Only TRD models had the high-speed shifter.

Which version has ‘ludicrous speed’?

Lior said:

Baer said:
It increases speed. Only TRD models had the high-speed shifter.

Which version has ‘ludicrous speed’?

That will be in the GR Camry in 2026.

Lior said:

Baer said:
It increases speed. Only TRD models had the high-speed shifter.

Which version has ‘ludicrous speed’?

LE haha

It allows you to use paddle shifters on your steering wheel.

Zora said:
It allows you to use paddle shifters on your steering wheel.

This version doesn’t have paddle shifters. Instead, there are plus and minus signs on the shift column. You push the shifter up and down to change gears. I think this is a 7th generation.

@lorenza
That’s an 8th generation shifter.

Raine said:
@lorenza
That’s an 8th generation shifter.

You might be right. My shift column looks similar. It’s interesting they have both paddles and the plus and minus on the column.

@lorenza
LE models don’t have paddle shifters, only the plus and minus on the shifter. SE and higher versions have paddle shifters. I’m not sure about XLE, but XSE has them.

@lorenza
It doesn’t change gears. It just sets the maximum gears, like older cars with ‘2’ and ‘1’ after P R N D.

I also have it in my car. It lets you shift gears, but I feel like it’s mostly unnecessary, especially in the city.

Dorian said:
I also have it in my car. It lets you shift gears, but I feel like it’s mostly unnecessary, especially in the city.

That’s why you should use it on back roads, especially if you have a sportier model. I don’t suggest shifting gears on winding roads in an XLE unless you have suspension upgrades.

You use that mode when you see a Honda Civic on the road.

When driving downhill on steep roads, you can use this to make the car stay in a lower gear, which helps prevent your brakes from overheating.

S stands for Semi-Automatic. You can use the shift knob or paddle shifters to change gears, depending on your model. There are sensors to prevent mistakes unless you use the D3 tune. Learn how to drive a manual to understand when to shift gears for different needs.